Ironing clothes is not a pleasant occupation. Sometimes it takes a lot of time and effort. Particular inconvenience is caused by things decorated with beads, flounces, ruffles or rhinestones. Needless to say, clothes made of delicate fabrics, over ironing which you literally have to sweat. All these problems are designed to solve the garment steamer.

Garment steamer

What is a garment steamer

The steamer is another piece of technical know-how designed to make the chore of ironing easier. It is a device that consists of a steam generator, a water tank and a nozzle. The principle of its operation is based on the effect of hot steam on the fabric, which makes it possible to smooth out even the most insidious folds, in particular, under the buttons and near the seams.

The water tank contains a heating element that heats it to a boil. Outside, hot steam enters through the nozzle. Unlike an iron, which has a mechanical effect on the fabric, that is, it directly contacts it, the steamer works at a distance, which is why it does not deform the fabric and does not crumple the pile, and even more so does not leave scorch marks.

Despite the advantages of a floor steamer, manual models of this device are widely used in everyday life.

What are clothes steamers

There are several types of clothes steamers: from the simplest household to professional models, endowed with a significant range of functions. Among them are manual and floor steamers. Each of them has its own advantages. Hand models are considered budget option They are compact in size so you can take them with you when you travel. However, it was not without a fly in the ointment. Compared to floor models, manual models have little power and water tank volume. They can work continuously for about fifteen minutes, and if you only have a couple of things that require delicate ironing, a handheld steamer will be a good choice.

Floor models have more power and a reservoir, which will allow you to continuously iron things for 1-2 hours

In addition, such steamers often come with a variety of accessories that make ironing easier: clothes hangers, mittens to protect hands from steam, a trouser clip, brushes.

What can be ironed with a steamer

This device will allow you to qualitatively iron almost any fabric: silk, velveteen, guipure, lace, velvet, wool, knitwear. The steamer is able to iron those things that a conventional iron, in principle, cannot handle. First of all, this outerwear with an abundance of various decorative elements. The steamer is convenient to tidy up wedding and evening dresses, which, as a rule, have a complex design, a lot of frills and are generously decorated with rhinestones, sequins, beads and sequins. They can safely iron fur and Leather Products. It is remarkably refreshing natural fur. Hot steam will quickly and easily return your favorite coat to its former shine. What can we say about such a delicate fabric as velvet: you can’t even approach it with an iron.

Many women sometimes refuse to purchase clothes made of delicate fabrics due to the difficulty in caring for them, but with the purchase of a steamer, there will no longer be a reason not to wear it.

Curtains deserve a separate discussion. Many housewives know how problematic it is to iron them with an ordinary iron on ironing board. With the help of a steamer, this can be done directly on the curtains. But the advantages of this device do not end there. Due to a sufficiently powerful flow of hot steam, pillows can be disinfected, Stuffed Toys or furniture upholstery. Under the influence of hot steam, all pathogenic microflora will die, some of which carry dangerous diseases.

Iron or steamer: which is better

If you are in a dilemma of whether to buy a steam iron or a steamer, opt for the latter. The key difference between them is that the fabric does not come into contact with a hot surface during ironing with a steamer. Consequently, no pressure is exerted on the fabric, which means that shiny spots and creases will not show off on clothes, as evidenced by the numerous reviews of satisfied customers of this device.

The steamer, a household electrical appliance, is an excellent indispensable addition to the iron in the work of ironing clothes. Delicate fabrics, beadwork, decorative patterns, and the like are ironed with a steamer. It was invented in 1940 in the USA to steam felt hats.

Consists of: water heating device, water storage tank, body, hose, iron (depending on models), rack.

Main varieties:

1. Manual steamer. Reminds me of a kettle. The device is quite light and compact. Steams things that weigh a little. Suitable for use on the road.
2. Floor standing steamer. This is the first developed version of the device for steaming vertically placed clothes. It has a main base for getting steam. Hose and sprayer.
3. Pressure steamer. Modern model, working on the same principle, plus the presence of steam pressure, to obtain a jet of steam on the surface to be treated.

Important! Let us add that in many modern irons added steamer function.

How to use a steamer? Before you start, you need to prepare the device for work. Let's describe the procedure using the example of the classic model of a floor steamer:

• We place a hanger with a rack and strengthen it;
• We attach the hose to the base of the steamer and to the iron for smoothing;
• We attach the iron to the rack;
• Pour water into the tank;
• We connect the device to the mains, using a cord and plug;
• We turn on the buttons and wait for the heating, according to the instructions for the device;
• We check the readiness for steaming, directing in a safe direction;
• If everything is fine, let's start.

Rules for using the device

How to use a clothes steamer, the video shows well. When steaming, work in an upright position. The iron is carried out along the clothes from top to bottom, slightly stretching the fabric. You need to keep it three centimeters from the fabric. It is enough to spend a few times and the fabric will be smoothed.

The video "How to use a handheld garment steamer" shows that the steam, acting on the fabric, straightens its fibers. Curtains can be ironed without removing. Large canvases of fabrics are best placed vertically and gently ironed in parts.

How to use a handheld steamer? Clothes must first be hung on special hangers on the rack. Next, select the mode corresponding to the type of tissue. When steaming, use a variety of attachments, including sleeve liners and frog holders. Do not forget to wear a protective mitten to prevent steam from getting on your hand when ironing.

What kind of clothes can I use a steamer for?

How to use a garment steamer? You can steam almost any fabric by adjusting the steam power and temperature. It is not recommended to only iron polyester and pleated pleats. Be very careful with silk and chiffon.

The video on how to use a clothes steamer correctly shows that you can additionally do a lot of things with the help of the device, for example:

• Remove stickers on clothes;
• Steam fur products from the inside;
• Make an inhalation for a cold, for this you just need to drip essential oil;
• Boil the eggs by placing them in a heating container;
• Remove moths from cabinets by walking around the corners inside;
• Get boiled water for tea.

How to use a steamer correctly? At the end of the work it is necessary to clean the device. Switch off and disconnect the power cord from the mains. Drain the cooled water from the tank.

How to use the garment steamer afterwards? Wipe all items dry. Put the device back to its storage place together with its attachments.

Safety rules for working with the device

How to use a garment steamer correctly? When ironing clothes, be careful, as the device produces steam at a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius. And to avoid injury, you must adhere to the rules:

1. When preparing for work, carefully follow the instructions for this model.
2. Remember, pointing at a person or animal can cause serious injury to him, this should not be done.
3. You can not iron clothes on a person.
4. Make sure that the water in the container does not run out.
5. Unplug the device from the mains, even if you leave for a minute.
6. Do not repair yourself, use the services of specialists in workshops.
7. If damage is found to the power cord, plug, hose, or sprayer, do not use until the damage is repaired or the defective part is replaced. Turn on only fully functional, for this, before starting work, for safety reasons, always inspect it from the outside.

The video "How to use a steamer" shows that when scale appears on the walls of the water tank, you need to fill it with water with citric acid. Bring to a boil and wait three minutes. Then rinse several times.

How to use a handheld garment steamer afterwards? Make sure there is no citric acid left, boil again if necessary, and steam again. Unless a different descaling action is specified in the manufacturer's instructions.

For ironing suits and other delicate clothes, where the iron is not close, it is simply indispensable. It does a great job, simplifying the life of any hostess, unless, of course, she forgets to service her steamer on time.

It's great that we live in an age of intensive technological development! Modern housewives do not need to wash and iron to exhaustion - technology comes to the rescue. Well, we have already dealt with washing machines. Here's to find out how to iron with a steamer, vital. Agree, it’s a shame in the 21st century to puff over the iron for half a day.

Five ways to steam

For steaming, manufacturers of household appliances offer special devices:

• iron with steamer
• iron with steam generator
• vertical steamer,
• Hand steamer,
• steam cleaner with clothes attachment.

Iron with steamer- the simplest, classic option.

Fill the tank, located in the body of the iron, with water, set the appropriate mode, press the button - the steam has gone. Can be ironed and steamed at the same time.

Iron with steam generator- a more advanced version. The set includes an iron and a stainless steel boiler connected to each other by a heat-resistant silicone hose.

The heating element boils water inside the boiler, resulting in steam. By pressing the button located on the handle of the iron, steam from the boiler is supplied through a hose to the pressurized ironing area. In addition, there is a control panel on the steam generator. Functions of steam generators different models and manufacturers may differ, so before you start ironing, read the instructions for the device.

How to iron with a steamer: video

Hand steamers come in two types: steam brush and shaped electric kettle. As they say, it's better to see once:

Steam Brush test drive video + how to use a steamer

Video presentation of the steamer-kettle

Vertical steamer designed exclusively for steaming things in a vertical position. It turns out that this method of steaming clothes was used back in the USSR.

Today the device is more perfect and multifunctional. Outwardly, it resembles a vacuum cleaner, and the principle of its operation is identical, only the steamer does not suck in, but rather ejects its contents - steam.

Of all its counterparts, the vertical steamer is the most complex device. So let's take a closer look, how to iron with a vertical type steamer.

Purpose steam cleaner- This is mainly cleaning the house and cleaning a wide variety of surfaces.

The appliance also comes with a nozzle for steaming clothes. A steam cleaner with a special nozzle is able to smooth out wrinkles, refresh clothes, and eliminate unpleasant odors.

Which is better - a steamer or an iron is a moot point. In search of an answer, I came across a description of battles, fights, test drives of these devices. Here is one of them:

Reviews: is it convenient to iron with steamers?

Maybe, you know, which is better to iron - iron or steamer? Express your opinion in the form of a comment - they are important to all of us.

The garment steamer has been fighting with the iron for a place in every home for 80 years. While the second wins: it is cheaper, more familiar and also emits steam. But someone who understands the key difference in working with them, and knows how to use a steamer, gives the perfect look to clothes in a matter of minutes.

When you first get acquainted with the device, carefully consider how the steamer works. They are compact and stationary. The handheld is similar to, compact and light in weight, it is very easy to use. Of the shortcomings - a small bulb and the corresponding power. The floor is capable of more, adjustable and multifunctional. Outwardly, it resembles a vacuum cleaner, so you will quickly orient yourself.

The steamer consists of the following parts:

• housing with indicator and power button;
• container;
• hose;
• telescopic stand;
• stainless iron with steam button;
• suspension;
• folding hanger;
• fluffy nozzle-brush;
• clip for creating arrows on trousers;
• protective thermal sleeve;
• firm collar lock;
• device for hard-to-reach places;
• convenient glass for pouring;
• power wire.

How does a steamer work?

The user manual clearly explains how the garment steamer works.

1. When you turn on the ready-to-use device, a red light on the case lights up. Heating starts.
2. After a few minutes (from 2 for a 0.5-liter tank to 15 for a 3-liter tank), the indicator on the iron lights up - the steam is ready, you can use it.
3. It remains to press the feed button on the iron and begin work. Turning the power button on the body adjusts the power of the jet. It penetrates the fabric, smoothes the fibers and removes impurities.

Read the rules and remember how to use the steamer safely.

1. Do not leave a running appliance unattended.
2. Do not try to steam things directly on the body, do not point at people and animals.
3. Open the refill container only after disconnecting the cord power.
4. Use as clean, filtered water as possible.
5. Choose the steam power and distance to the fabric based on the fabric care tips.
6. When using the steamer, move vertically from top to bottom.
7. Hold the iron sideways, directing the steam parallel to the surface.
8. Wear a heat protective glove.
9. Always let the equipment cool down after work, empty the remaining liquid from the tank and wipe dry.

How to turn on the steamer?

Before using the clothes steamer, you need to prepare it for work:

• we assemble a rack from sections;
• fix it on the body;
• we put a steam iron on the rack;
• we attach a folding hanger (trempel) to the suspension;
• tightly fasten the steam hose to the body, combining the connectors;
• fill the container with water;
• plug the power cord into an outlet;
• press the power button on the case;
• We are waiting for the signal of the indicator of readiness for work.

How to open the steamer?

Once you've learned how to properly use a garment steamer and have the whole assembly assembled, start practicing. To fill the tank, open it with a twist plug. It is made of hard rubber, has an ergonomic handle and is easy to turn. There are two rotation positions marked on the plug: open and closed. They will be indicated by an arrow on the flask body next to the topping hole.

How to fill water in the steamer?

Having trained in how to disassemble the steamer, you can fill the boiler - a container for water. Do not fill above the “max” mark. Use a convenient glass from a set. Unplug the appliance before each refill. If you want to know how to use a steamer without problems, choose the water for work carefully.

1. From the tap - scale quickly forms.
2. Well - teeming with microorganisms.
3. Mineralized from the bottle - not suitable.
4. Scented iron liquid will ruin the steamer.
5. Distilled is the opposite extreme. It boils at a higher temperature than usual. In this mode, the gaskets between the parts melt. Mix it with tap water to balance the properties.
6. The best choice is filtered water.

With experience, you will learn how to iron any clothes with a steamer, because a couple can be trusted with almost everything: from silk underwear to a fluffy fur coat. The work proceeds according to the same scheme. The only difference is the time and mode of processing. Overdried rough fabric will have to be steamed longer, but it is faster and more efficient use iron. You can from dirt, using a nozzle-brush.

How to iron a shirt with a steamer?

Using the example of a shirt, let's look at how to properly iron cotton items with a steamer.

1. Put your shirt on a hanger.
2. Fill with water and turn on the mechanism.
3. When ironing cotton, stretch the fabric and press the steam iron against it, moving from top to bottom. Use a heat resistant mitt to avoid burning your hands.
4. For collar, cuffs and pockets, place a solid triangular fixer from the kit under the part.

Fans may ask how to make arrows with a steamer. It's much easier than ironing.

1. Assemble the device.
2. Install a special nozzle for arrows.
3. Fix the fabric in the upper part between the iron and the nozzle clamp.
4. Holding the fabric, lower the structure along the fabric, immediately steaming. The arrows are smooth and beautiful.
5. Do not take off your pants until cool.

A confident user who already knows how to properly steam things with a steamer can even put in order a wedding outfit. Ironing a chic dress is dangerous, because it has its own subtleties:

• ruffles, frills, train, draperies and pleats;
• capricious delicate fabrics, lace;
• embroidery, sequins, rhinestones, pearls, feathers, sequins.

On safe power, you will refresh and steam chiffon, satin, organza, lace and tulle.

1. Put the dress on a trempel or mannequin.
2. Read the care instructions on the label. Delicate fabrics it is necessary to process from a distance of up to 40 cm. The atlas is steamed from the inside out to prevent water streaks. Fatin - at minimum power and maximum distance.
3. Start with the bottom layers of the skirt, add some pomp to the dress.
4. For a smooth model, steam large parts first. Skirt, train, sleeves, corset and belt.
5. If the corset is heavily embellished, start there. And only then steam off the smooth parts.
6. Leave the dress hanging to dry.

How to steam curtains with a steamer?

Steam cleans, smoothes and disinfects fabrics. For someone who knows how to iron curtains with a steamer, caring for draperies is not difficult. You will achieve the perfect look of blackout shade curtains in 10 minutes. Tulle will take half the time.

1. Decide how you will use the steamer to treat your curtains based on your fabric care requirements.
2. Fill the reservoir.
3. Turn on the mechanism and set the desired mode.
4. Stretch the fabric slightly in the middle and steam upper part moving vertically. The thinner the material, the further you hold the iron from the surface.
5. Repeat with the bottom half, gently pulling back the edge.

Using the home assistant "one hundred percent", find out how you can use the steamer in the care of furniture. Once every few months it is useful to refresh, disinfect, remove dust mites and stains from the upholstery. Delicate materials such as matting, flock, chenille or velour, require careful handling, and using a steamer in this case will be very useful.

Pollution from the sofa must be removed immediately, otherwise you will admire them for years. In difficult cases, steam will help "revive" dried-on stains and gently remove them.

1. Take a couple of microfiber rags - they will come in handy in the process.
2. When steam comes out, treat a small area in an inconspicuous place.
3. Steam-softened dirt can be removed with a microfiber cloth prepared in advance.
4. When cleaning stains, “blow” the dirt onto the fabric by directing the jet at an angle to the surface.

This cleaning is suitable for upholstery that does not tolerate aggressive detergents. Adjustment of steam power, direction of movement, distance to the surface to be cleaned - any material can be selected for an effective and safe treatment mode. Do not wait for the coating to darken with age, regularly steam the furniture, and it will always be “as good as new”.

The use of tap water threatens the formation limescale. Small fragments of it will spread through the steam channels and clog the steam outlets. To avoid dirty splashes on your clothes, find out in advance how to descale your garment steamer. A simple device without a pump can be cleaned once a month with a solution of your choice: vinegar (1:1 with water), lemon acid(25 g per glass of water), mineral water, household remedy from scale.

1. Pour 2 cups of the solution into the water tank.
2. Put in a horizontal position on the base.
3. Let the compound work for 40 minutes.
4. Instead of p.p. 2 and 3, you can turn on the device to the maximum and release the resulting steam over the sink without residue.
5. Rinse the container with water until the smell of the cleaning agent disappears.

Designs with a built-in pump need special care: scale in it is also formed in the nozzles and on the pump itself. Acid from home remedies will damage it. Such a device is cleaned in service centers, breaking down into details. There is another option: modern pump steamers have a built-in self-cleaning function. Steam boost to clean the device under pressure from the inside - an excellent prevention of scale.

By purchasing this device, you will not only forget about creases and stains, melted edges and burnt holes. Think about how to use the steamer in addition to working with textiles. Following the general rules, clean the toys, wash the windows, take care of the flowers carefully, or freshen the cracks in the radiators. The nozzles included in the kit will tell you what else you can easily bring to the perfect look.

Clothes steamers are an unusual know-how, invented for the convenience of ironing a variety of things. After all, it's no secret to anyone that ironing any item of clothing is sometimes very difficult. These are, as a rule, things decorated with sequins, rhinestones, flounces, lace. And ironing sleeves sometimes just turns into torture. In order to save your nerves and time, use for this purpose a device called Reviews about it say that its operation is easy, and the result exceeds all expectations. In this article I will talk about the principle of its action, how to work with it correctly. As a result, we will conclude whether this tool is really necessary in the economy.

How garment steamers work

Let's talk about what these devices are. Any such device consists of a reservoir

For pouring water and generating steam. Very often, steamers are called "steamers" (derived from the English word "steam", which means "steam"). Hot steam released from the generator acts on the fabric in such a way that all wrinkles, even the most difficult ones, are smoothed out on it. How is it formed? There is a heating element that quickly turns water into boiling water. Then hot steam enters a special nozzle - a generator. The difference between a steamer and an iron is the ability to work with a fabric without touching the device to it. As a result, things do not crumple and do not burn. How manual consumers work about which is mostly positive, read below.

Features of the hand steamer

We figured out the principle of operation of the steamer. But after all, as you know, these devices are produced in various types. One of them is a manual garment steamer. Reviews about it household appliance talk about its great convenience. It has a small size. Such a steamer can be indispensable when traveling and in cases where it is not possible to iron clothes with an iron. True, he also has one minus, in comparison with other types, - this is a small power. They have a small water tank, so their continuous operation time is on average 15 minutes.

What can be ironed with a steamer

And now about what can be ironed with such a device as a manual clothes steamer. Consumer reviews about it say that it is especially good to iron thin lace items, velveteen, silk, wool and knitwear with it. In a word, everything that is difficult to iron with an ordinary iron. Often, steamers are used to give a well-groomed look to those items of clothing that are generally not recommended to be ironed: coats and jackets, fur and velvet items of clothing. Want to iron curtains and heavy curtains? A clothes steamer is the best option for this.

A few words about the device "Master Steam"

In conclusion, I would like to say a few words about such a household appliance as the Master Steam manual steamer. Its undeniable advantage is its low cost with good power. It's easy to use. The case of the device is plastic, the design is stylish. I also note that it is equipped with such a useful function as vertical steaming. This means that with it you can iron any thing hanging on a hanger.

Thus, we found out that a manual garment steamer, which customer reviews indicate its compactness and ease of use, is very useful, and sometimes just necessary thing in the household.